Method for removing tubes from a tubesheet

Abstract

A method for removing a tube from an opening in a tubesheet in which a containment plug is placed in the tube at a predetermined distance from the end of the tube and a granular material is placed into a portion of the tube between the plug and the latter tube end. A push rod is applied through the tube end and to said granular material to apply a force to the granular material against the plug to cause the granular material to exert a shear force on the inner wall of the tube of a magnitude to push the tube from the tubesheet opening.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for removing a tube from an opening in a tubesheet, comprising the steps of placing a plug in the tube at a predetermined distance from the end of the tube that extends into the tubesheet opening, placing a granular material into a least a portion of that portion of the tube extending between said plug and said tube end, and applying a force to said granular material sufficient to cause said granular material to exert a shear force on the inner wall of said tube of a magnitude to push the tube from said tubesheet opening. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said opening is a through passage extending through said tubesheet. 
     
     
       3. The method of claims 1 or 2, wherein said tube normally extends into said tubesheet with said tube end extending flush with one face of said tubesheet and wherein said plug is placed in the remaining portion of said tube at a spaced relation to the other face of said tubesheet. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3, wherein said granular material extends from said plug to a location in said tube within said tubesheet opening. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein said granular material is sand. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1, wherein said force is applied to said granular material by the steps of introducing a push rod through said tube end and applying an axial force to said rod which is transferred to said granular material.